quote:

Originally posted by avis

Hello all, I’m new to these forums and am very impressed with the quality of posts I’ve read so far. I’m researching selling hot dogs during the weekdays and would like to know if netting $100/day is realistic?? I live in San Diego and have already checked with the county/city as far as permitting goes. I know location is crucial and haven’t identified a site yet but am going to be exploring the usual high foot/vehicle traffic sites located near traffic producting sites such as bus stops, parks, office parks, etc..

Avis, I was wondering if you were able to get the cart started and what you had to do to get it going? I am in San Diego as well. Thanks, Jake

there is only one sure way to find out.
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ssanty/cgi-bin/eightball.cgi

Does anyone know how much those guys make standing outside of Home Depot…not just a guess like previous posts….

This is also posted in the Hot Dogs section.

quote:

Originally posted by refrieddreams

Thanks for the info boys. I never persued it. I came up with that idea because my mom had a cart at a home depot and had someone working it for her. There are WAY too many ways for employees to rip you off so I figured a way she could still make money and not have to worry about the theft issue.

I just found an ad on CL that someone was doing this exzact idea in my town (San Diego)

Avis, I have a cart for sale in SD if you want a smoking deal!

[email protected]

Hello! I was just reviewing your comments that your mother was running a hot dog cart at Home Depot. I have been trying to get information on who to contact regarding setting up a cart in their Burlington, Wa store. Can you tell me how your mom got in and how much she has to pay, how much she makes, etc? Thanks!!!

My sales are around 400 for an average spring weekend day at the park. The sales go up as the temp does. More drinks and shaved ice. This is taking it easy most of the day, with a few pops after kids’ ball games.

They are all over in Tennessee (Nashville area)

I almost put one in front of a HD in Douth Carolina too!

Regarding hot dog carts. Home Depot and Lowes in North and South Carolina allowed vendors to set up at their store’s. This fad grew for about two years, but like any good idea everyone got wise to it as a result Depot and Lowes started requiring outlandish lease agreements. There are now no more vendors at these locations in North and South Carolina. I have also never seen any vendors set up in Tennessee. This could also be due to city,county,and state regulations, which other established food business lobby for and support.

Thanks for the info boys. I never persued it. I came up with that idea because my mom had a cart at a home depot and had someone working it for her. There are WAY too many ways for employees to rip you off so I figured a way she could still make money and not have to worry about the theft issue.

I just found an ad on CL that someone was doing this exzact idea in my town (San Diego)

Avis, I have a cart for sale in SD if you want a smoking deal!

[email protected]

quote:

Originally posted by refrieddreams

I have written an entire business plan on this topic.

My idea was to have a commisary, and 10 carts. In my commisary people could lease a cart, by product (ice, dogs, buns, chili, cokes ect ata 10% markup) from my freezer/ refrigerator. They could operate under my umbrella and give me a flat $50 per day per cart. I would not take a % off their action as this would be sooo hard to enforce. I would make a lil off product and 50 bones a day per cart.

Get 10 of them out there and its a pretty good gig. $500 a day plus…

What area are you in? The problem is having to pay street eats or whoever some outragous rent for doing nothing…

Dont forget to calculate the cost of propane, your time filling all them tanks, the liability insurance, maint. fees (you know they’ll be abusing the carts since they’re not paying for them).. There’s also the risk of food borne illness (improper hold temps) where someone can come back at you in the long run.. Don’t mean to be the Devils Advocate, but you know what I’m saying…

Refried, I am in the DFW area of north Texas. The Home Depots here might be the place to be. I am not sure whar their deal is to let you opperate? This just hit me while reading this thread, Part of my thinking is based on the idea that there are lots of good hard working folks looking for somethimg to do, but that can’t come up with a big sum of money to start a busness, and who may not be able to deal with the complicactions of ownership. Avis, since this is your thread I hope this is of interest. Maybe this should be a new thread fried one?
Joe

I have written an entire business plan on this topic.

My idea was to have a commisary, and 10 carts. In my commisary people could lease a cart, by product (ice, dogs, buns, chili, cokes ect ata 10% markup) from my freezer/ refrigerator. They could operate under my umbrella and give me a flat $50 per day per cart. I would not take a % off their action as this would be sooo hard to enforce. I would make a lil off product and 50 bones a day per cart.

Get 10 of them out there and its a pretty good gig. $500 a day plus…

What area are you in? The problem is having to pay street eats or whoever some outragous rent for doing nothing…

Has anyone ever considered a chain of hot dog stands? There are lots of Home Depot’s in my area that don’t have a stand. Find some guys who need a good opportunity, make them put up a security deposit, go through a training coarse, and split the net, could work!?? Anyone ever tried it?
Joe

If you sold 100 dogs a day 365 day a year at $2.50 a throw you would GROSS about 100k,net depends on many things.